Posted by | Apr 27, 2026
When you’re starting out in kids ministry, it’s easy to feel like you need to have everything figured out—while simultaneously feeling unprepared. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we got a question about what experienced ministry leaders wish they had known before starting in ministry. So we asked a variety of Stuff You Can Use team members to share honest, practical insights, and Linda and Jason respond to their thoughts while reflecting on lessons they’ve learned along the way.
QUESTION:
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you got started in ministry?
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Let go of the pressure to have it all figured out and embrace growth through experience
Trust your voice and discernment, even when you feel inexperienced
Build healthy structure and rhythms that support sustainable ministry and personal well-being
Remember that people are the ministry—including your team, your leaders, and yourself
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Posted by | Apr 9, 2026
When planning events, it’s easy to focus on what sounds the most unique or creative—but not every event should be trying to accomplish the same goal. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, someone from our Facebook Group asked a question about favorite kids ministry event ideas. So Linda and Jason break down different types of events and share practical ideas to help you choose and plan events that build relationships, welcome families, and create meaningful ministry moments.
QUESTION:
What are your favorite event ideas?
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Plan just-for-fun events that help kids build friendships and positive associations with church
Leverage holiday events like Christmas and Easter to connect with families and share the story of Jesus
Create outreach and family events that make it easy for new families to engage and feel welcomed
Maximize big opportunities like VBS to combine fun, discipleship, and outreach into one powerful experience
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Opposite Day
Tie Dye Everything
Merry Mini Golf
Golden Ticket Tour
Crazy Craft Day
Grow With God Experience
Crossway Station
Family Fest
VBS
KMA Episode 008: Let’s Prep for VBS!
Posted by | Mar 24, 2026
When a few kids hang back, avoid activities, or seem uninterested, it can feel discouraging and tempting to push harder for participation. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Allegra Collins has a question about how to engage kids who don’t want to participate during small group or Bible teaching time. So we asked Christina Paiva to join Linda and Jason to share practical strategies for building trust, creating emotional safety, and gently inviting every child to engage at their own pace.
QUESTION:
“What are your tips on engaging kids who don’t want to participate or who struggle to engage during small group time and Bible teaching time?” — Allegra Collins
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:
Recognize that engagement looks different for every child
Focus on relationships first, knowing trust and safety often lead to natural engagement
Welcome and invite kids with low-pressure options that meet them where they are
Help kids find relationships with peers, leaders, and families to help connections grow over time
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Posted by | Mar 6, 2026
Handling behavioral issues can feel like walking a tightrope—wanting kids to feel loved and welcomed while also maintaining a safe and fun environment for everyone. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Jonathan has a question about how to respond to behavioral challenges in a way that focuses on positive outcomes. So Linda and Jason share a simple, grace-filled framework to help leaders and volunteers correct behavior with clarity, consistency, and care.
QUESTION:
“How do you handle behavioral issues in a graceful way that focuses less on consequences and more on positive outcomes, while keeping the environment safe and fun?” — Jonathan
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:
Protect the environment so every child and volunteer feels safe and supported
Use a clear “Redirect, Remove, Refer” framework to respond calmly and consistently
Partner with families to support long-term growth, not just short-term compliance
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Volunteer Handbook
Parent Conversations – Behavioral Problems
Posted by | Mar 2, 2026
When ministry projects pile up, it’s easy to unintentionally let your volunteer team building take a back seat—leaving even great teams feeling under-equipped or under-engaged. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Amanda Holt has a question about how to empower volunteers to lead in kids ministry. So we asked Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use, to join Linda and Jason to share practical ways to recruit, train, support, and inspire volunteers to lead with confidence and ownership.
QUESTION:
“How can I help my volunteers step into leadership and take initiative?” — Amanda Holt
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:
Ask big by casting a compelling vision that helps volunteers see the meaningful impact of their role
Recruit well by inviting the right people into the right roles and structuring teams intentionally
Train them with clear expectations, vision resets, and ongoing leadership development
Support them emotionally, relationally, and practically so they feel valued, equipped, and inspired to keep leading
Ask a Question:
Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, leadership tips, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Volunteer Handbook
